Here is a recap of some of the ISP, internet, and cable news from around the country and the world for the week of April 24, 2017:
Facebook’s F8 2017 Developer Conference
Facebook just completed F8 2017, Facebook’s developer conference. At the two day event, Facebook announced the direction in which Facebook will be headed in the coming years. There will be a big focus in the future on cameras' Augmented and Virtual Reality. There is a new Camera Effects platform that will co-opt some of Snapchat’s features like masks and frames.
Facebook talked about developing a way to control a computer,... with your brain! Facebook’s Regina Dugan, asked “What if you could type with your brain?” and referenced a Stanford University study that implanted electrodes into the brain. Facebook announced that it will be assembling an independent “Ethics Board” to monitor its brain-to-computer studies.
Another feature on their books reflects Facebook’s mission to use every bit of data you reveal on Facebook to try to sell you something. M Suggest is Facebook’s mobile AI Assistant that finds new ways to try to market to you. If you say that you are hungry while chatting with a friend on messenger, M Suggest will give you dining recommendations. You can even choose your meal and pay for it through Facebook apps. It seems Facebook wants to know about and get a part of everything you do.
Jack Into the Matrix - The Future of the Internet?
Elon Musk, one of the most visionary of visionaries, is in the process of building another company. This one is called Neuralink. Neuralink’s plan is to develop ultra-high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces that connect humans and computers. That's right, Musk wants to connect people directly to the Internet. Neuralink announced a list of positions they are hiring for, along with a website for submitting applications.
Verizon Deletes Email
Verizon.net customers have to choose one of three options: transfer their email account to AOL, transfer to another email provider, or leave their accounts untouched in favor of deletion. Luckily customers will be able to keep their verizon.net email addresses and won’t have to suffer the shame and humiliation of having an aol.com email address. Customers will just need to log in via the AOL interface. After 6 months of inactivity, Verizon will delete all Verizon.net email addresses including corresponding data!
More Verizon News
Despite losing almost 300,000 wireless customers in the first quarter of 2017, Verizon committed to buying $1.1 billion of fiber over the next three years from Corning. Maybe this is because Verizon was sued by New York City last month for violating its cable franchise agreement, which required Verizon to bring a fiberoptic network to all households in the city. Verizon’s CEO also announced this week that they would be willing to entertain the idea of merging with Disney, Comcast or CBS.
Look Out Netflix
Kuala Lumpur based iFlix, an up and coming Netflix competitor, announced that it will be creating its own content. While currently focusing on emerging markets it has hired former Netflix executive Sean Carey as their Chief Content Officer, so it won’t be a surprise when they eventually go for Netflix’s home market in the US. The company just raised $90 million in funding for its expansion plans.
Samsung Partners with Google Play
Google and Samsung announced that Google Play will now be the default music player on all new Samsung phones and tablets. Users will be able to upload up to 10,000 of their own songs to listen to for free on the Google Play Music service. It will be compatible with Samsung’s personal assistant software Bixby so you'll be able to play music using voice command.
FCC Gives Big ISPs Another Gift
Ajit Pai’s FCC just passed a new order that could raise business data service prices for small businesses around the country. According to the order, even though a business is only served by one Internet provider, the area could be considered “competitive” if there is another provider within half of a mile, even if the other provider does not service the business’s address.
The FCCs own data says that 73 percent of BDS locations may only be served by one provider, the FCC found that there was sufficient competition in those areas to warrant removing the current price cap!
AT&T and Verizon, Pai’s former employer, supported the order although many small businesses, public interest groups, and even the European Union spoke out against it. AT&T scheduled a 15% rate hike to take effect immediately after the order passed.
Google Chrome to Start Blocking Ads
In what might seem to be a counterproductive move, Google announced that it would be adding an ad blocker to its Chrome web browser. Since Google gets most of its income from advertising, they must have something up their sleeve. It's likely that this is a way to prevent users from installing other ad blockers to Chrome, ensuring Google remains in control of what ads are shown.